Greetings and welcome fellow kiva and non-kiva users! Please take your time to read through and learn about mycharitywater.org. Get involved and please help spread the word via FB, twitter etc via the top right corner.

I stumbled across the charity: water idea at the beginning of July 2011 and have since marvelled at like-minded campaigns that have been run. One notable and inspirational campaign I've had the pleasure of viewing recently was Will and Jada Smith's birthday celebration:

http://mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=6769

http://www.charitywater.org/willandjada/

It would be great if similar to Will's campaign we could all give back something to the 1 in 8 people drinking from dirty, disease ridden water, by giving the gift of clean water in lieu of presents to and from other people, on behalf or in memory and honour of others, or even just a plain donation straight from the heart. Indeed if you are struggling to think up a present this year, why not give the gift of clean drinking water on their behalf.

Operational costs of charitywater.org are funded by a separate group of private donors, meaning 100% of your donation will go towards digging wells and providing access to clean, drinking water to those developing world communities in need. This even includes your credit card fees. [ See: http://www.charitywater.org/100percent/ for more information.]

I think it is such a great concept, a fabulous idea, and that such an inconceivably LIFE CHANGING effect on not just one, two, but dozens, hundreds of people is amazing and inspirational!

It takes $5,000USD to sponsor a complete water project in a village that is set to benefit 250 people! Therefore every $20 helps one person access clean drinking water for 20 years! That's the cost of one or two drinks at the pub, 1.5 movie tickets, and a modest hour's wage or little gamble some of us like to make at times. Or if you're like me, you probably accidentally drop that amount in public all the time anyway =). You can donate however much you like though! Follow and give through your heart what you feel is important, not what others tell you.

For more info here's some handy links. There is alot more wealth of information contained on the website that I implore you to browse:

http://www.charitywater.org/whywater/

http://www.charitywater.org/donate/sponsorawell_individual.php

Please also provide your actual/most appropriate email address when donating, as GPS co-ordinates, photos, and reports of the well's progress will be sent to everyone who donated roughly 18 months from now.

Lastly, a warm thank you from the bottom of my heart, charitywater.org, and the 250 people out there. =)

(For clarity sake, I am not affiliated or claim to represent Kiva via this fundraising campaign. This was organised by myself as an individual on behalf of driving the kiva community behind a good cause. Although it would be great if Kiva would be keen to get behind us. Please also check out http://www.kiva.org if you are not a kiva donor - it is also another great concept and cause I believe in).

-Warren T.